Why Tom Brady shutout is bad news for the Carolina Panthers

Tom Brady being shut out against the New Orleans Saints could mean bad news for the Carolina Panthers over the final three games of the season.

It was certainly surprising to see Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fail to conjure up even a single point in a loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday Night Football. This is a game the Carolina Panthers should also have been monitoring closely, with the team set to take on their NFC South divisional rivals over their final three contests before the 2021 campaign comes to a conclusion.

The Panthers confirmed a fourth-straight losing season with a disappointing defeat at the Buffalo Bills. Although the outcome was anticipated, it was yet another anemic display from the team that saw head coach Matt Rhule quick to pass the buck and blame everyone but himself for their ninth reverse in 11 contests.

Things look bleak for Carolina right now. And the events that transpired between the Saints and Buccaneers could mean even more bad news is on the way.

Rhule’s men will play the defending Super Bowl champions twice in the next three weeks. Brady was embarrassed in Week 15, so he’ll have an extra source of motivation to put this right and remind everyone why he’s considered to be the greatest quarterback of all time.

Brady normally bounces back in fine fashion after a poor outing. Carolina’s defense showed some signs of life at the Bills, but they might have their work cut out trying to stop Tampa Bay on their road to redemption in Week 16.

However, the legendary signal-caller could be without some major playmakers for the clash. Leonard Fournette, Chris Godwin, and Mike Evans left the game through injury, which would be a tremendous boost for the Panthers if they were all ruled out next weekend.

On the flip side, New Orleans seems to be hitting their stride from a defensive point of view even with the absence of Sean Payton on the sidelines this week. For all their faults and injuries on offense, the defense remains a formidable adversary and at 7-7, they are right in the wildcard race ahead of their game against the Panthers in Week 17.

Considering how disjointed things have become for the offense before and after Joe Brady’s firing, it could be a long afternoon at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome for the Panthers. And there seems almost no hope of salvaging anything from a season that began so promisingly.

Carolina Panthers might not salvage anything from the 2021 season.

The blame game has begun. Rhule is positioning himself to deflect blame and this is threatening to spill over after Cam Newton became his latest target after Sunday’s loss.

Coming up against the Buccaneers twice and the Saints away from home wouldn’t be the most ideal scenario if the Panthers could choose their own destiny. But they are now paying the price for not getting the job done during the league’s easiest schedule prior to Week 15.

Brady will be a man on a mission and is getting Antonio Brown back from suspension. But the fact this might be the last time we see Newton under center at Bank of America Stadium should make it an emotionally-charged occasion nonetheless.

Just how much fight remains in this team is the big question. And make no mistake, Brady will provide the answer one way or another.